HC Deb 10 November 1958 vol 595 cc29-30
45. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Paymaster-General the number of coking plants that have been closed during the past twelve months.

47. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Paymaster-General how many coke-oven plants have closed in the County of Durham since the publication of his last Statistical Digest.

Mr. Maudling

I am informed that nine National Coal Board coking plants have been closed during the last twelve months, of which three were in Durham. I am not aware of the closing of any other coking plants.

Mr. Roberts

Is there any hope of these plants being re-opened in the near future? Is not this a typical example showing that there should he an inquiry into the whole position in the fuel industry?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that an inquiry would make much difference. The present position arises from a shortage of demand for hard coke. The National Coal Board has taken the decision to close down old and uneconomic capacity, a good deal of which has already been replaced by newer and more economic capacity.